At this point in his career, there is seemingly nothing that Shohei Ohtani can’t do. The two-time MVP has been a juggernaut at the plate and on the mound, making him a true two-way star of the sport. Even though an elbow injury has kept him from pitching this season, he has continued to progress in his throwing program to potentially return as a pitcher in 2025.

As Ohtani ramps up his throwing program, there have been questions about the superstar potentially getting some reps in the outfield before the end of the year. The Japanese mega-star has played in the outfield several times in his career and given the Los Angeles Dodgers’ struggles at the position, many have wondered if he will head to the outfield once he is cleared to throw.

In an episode of MLB Now!, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman poured some water on the idea.

“We haven’t even gotten there, I don’t think so,” Friedman replied when asked about Ohtani potentially going to the outfield. “I don’t think so but I wouldn’t rule anything out.””I know anything that we can do to win, he is going to be all about,” Friedman added. “It’s not to say that he’s not going to be pushing us, but I don’t think we’ll go there.”

Dodgers need to keep Shohei Ohtani healthy if they hope to bring home another World Series title

The Dodgers will prioritize Shohei Ohtani’s health not only this season but also in the future, so keeping him out of the outfield may be in both parties’ best interests.

That being said, he is unlike nearly any player we have ever seen, so if anyone can toss on a glove and be a dynamo in the outfield, it’s Ohtani.

Despite having one of the most deadly trios in MLB history in the form of Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers’ weaknesses have come to the fore when any of these players have missed time.

If Dave Robert’s club is looking to win it all, they need to minimize the injury risk of their powerful trio of superstars.